The Piety of the Emperor Gratian

The deeds and the end of Valens teach us plainly how patient the Lord God is with those who rage against him, and how he punishes those who abuse his patience. For the Lord in his love uses mercy and justice like weights on a pair of scales. Whenever he sees someone overstepping the bounds of his kindness by the greatness of his errors, he checks him with just punishment and keeps him from being carried on to further extremes. Now Gratian, the son of Valentinian and nephew of Valens, came to rule the whole Roman Empire. He had already taken up the scepter of Europe at the death of his father, who had shared the throne with him during his lifetime. When Valens died without children, Gratian gained Asia as well, and the provinces of Libya. [a]